In Search of Gods and Heroes, by Sammy H.K. Smith

Book Review by SJ Higbee

Have you read this book?

This is another Kristell Ink author -- I've been very impressed with the writing of authors Joanne Hall, see my review of Rider here and White Mountain written by Sophie E. Tallis, here, would this epic Fantasy offering reach the same high standard?

When
a demon sneaks into the mortal world and murders an innocent girl to
get to her sister Chaeli, all pretense of peace between the gods is
shattered. For Chaeli is no ordinary mortal, she is a demi-goddess, in
hiding for centuries, even from herself. But there are two divine
brothers who may have fathered her, and the fate of Ibea rests on the
source of her blood. Chaeli embarks on a journey that tests her heart,
her courage, and her humanity. Her only guides are a man who died a
thousand years ago in the Dragon Wars, a former assassin for the
Underworld, and a changeling who prefers the form of a cat. And there
you have part of the blurb.

As you may have gathered, this is a classical epic fantasy, complete
with many of the themes and conventions you'd expect. The protagonist is
pleasingly complex and the evident latent power she possesses but
doesn't yet really understand or properly know was well handled. I also
liked her edges. While she is harried and on the run, reliant on the
kindness of strangers, it doesn't mean she is overly submissive or
biddable -- or stridently, unbelievably stroppy either. It's a balance
harder to achieve than Smith makes it look. In fact, the writing is
accomplished and smooth.

Triangular relationships are difficult to pull off, without the woman
in the middle looking like a conniving flirt and Smith has the two
heroes falling in love with Chaeli. However, I really like how she sets
up the relationships, where gods get involved, using mortals in their
power struggles. It's a nifty way of setting up a situation that causes
plenty of ongoing tension and heartache and certainly had me very much
caring about the outcome. It's a familiar theme that runs through much
epic Fantasy and yet Smith's character-led approach makes her take on
this engrossing and readable.

World-building is always crucial in this genre, and it can be
something of a stumbling block for me. While I always enjoy a detailed,
believable world, I do end up skimming pages of description -- not so
with In Search of Gods and Heroes. Smith's depiction of the
cut-throat atmosphere of court, a city where everyone is frightened and
subdued, and the initial calm freedom of the academic atmosphere of
Lindor gives a wide-ranging backdrop to her ongoing adventure, providing
a vivid and complex world.

As you may have gathered, I really enjoyed this one. Any niggles?
Well, it's more of an observation and something of a risk. While Smith
sets a number of plot lines running, by the end of the first book -- and
it's a reasonably hefty read at 400+ pages -- there is no resolution to
any of the ongoing stories. For some reason I'm still not able to
fathom, I found I was fairly relaxed about this. Perhaps it's because
halfway through the book I promised myself that I'd dive into the next
book as soon as I can. But if you really mind about having a payoff by
the end of a book, then be warned, In Search of Gods and Heroes is very
much the start of a series.

This sub-genre isn't an automatic favorite of mine -- I've trudged
through far too many over-written, long-winded tomes with nothing fresh
or original to say. But after reading a book of this caliber, I also
know why I haven't given up on it. And if you're a fan of Kate Elliott's
Crown of Stars series, Glenda Larke, Elspeth Cooper and Helen Lowe, and
you haven't yet had the pleasure, go look and track this one down.
You'll be thanking me if you do.SJ Higbee

Click here to buy In Search of Gods and Heroes, by Sammy H.K. Smith on Amazon